Key-ring.



E. F. RUECKERT.

KE'Y RING.

APPLICATION FILED FEB- 28, l9l6.

Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

WITNESSES- EmastFfiuec/zerb; INVENTOR T FTQ.

ERNEST E. RUEOKERT, 0E PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

KEY-RING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedDec. 12, 1916.

Application filed February 28, 1916. Serial No. 80,988.

State of Rhode Island, have invented a new and useful Key-Ring, of which the following is a specification. V

The present invention relates to an improvement in key rings, and has for an obj ect to provide a simple and inexpensive ring to which keys, or other similar articles, may be readily applied, and from which the same may be removed, by an easy, quick move-.

ment, without distorting the ring or necessitating the shifting of any parts thereof.

It is a further aim of the invention to provide a key ring which is light in weight, comprises but few parts, may be quickly and easily operated without the exercise of skill, and a ring which occupies but relatively small space so that the same will lie comfortably in a pocket, and hold together any number of keys desired. 7

Broadly, the invention comprises a split ring, partially or wholly tubular, which has retractable closure members, such as balls, or the like, at the spaced apart ends of the rings, which are yieldingly urged toward one another to normally close or contract the space in the ring, so that a pressure must be applied to the key, or the like, which is inserted through the opening for engagement with the ring.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in the following description of the present forms of the invention disclosed in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of the preferred form of the ring of this invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken through the ring, showing a modified construction of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan View of the improved ring, partially in section and showing a further modified form of the same.

Referring to the drawing, wherein like parts are designated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views, the body of the ring is designated by 10, and in the preferred form shown in Fig. 1, comprises a length of solid wire of the required thickness to securely hold keys, or the like, which are passed over the ends of the body 10. As shown, the body 10 is bent to bring the opposite ends thereof into close spaced relation, and is preferably flattened or elongated for convenience in handling, and to take up but relatively small space in the pocket. The ends of the body 10 are in the form of sleeves orcasings 11, which, in the form shown in the drawing, may be the product of a screw machine, which constitute receptables and which are open at their adjacent spaced ends. The inner ends of the casings 11 receive therein the extremities of thewire or body 10, the latter being riveted or swaged in the ends of the casings 11, so as tofirmly mount the casings on the ends of the wire,and form a continuation of the body of the ring. The casings l1 terminate at their free ends in close spaced relation to provide the split or throat in the ring.

Within the outer ends of the casings 11 are mounted retractable closure members 12, the same being disclosed in the present instance in the form' of balls, which are held within the casings 11 by flanges 13 projecting inwardly from the ends of the casings for engagement with the outer surfaces of the balls. The balls 12 are normally urged outward toward each other, to contract or close the split in the ring, by resilient means which may be a pair of springs 14, one of the springs being disposed in each casing 11 for operating the ball 12 therein. It will thus be noted that the split of the ring is effectually blocked so that a key can not pass therethrough without exerting substantial pressure upon the key, while forcing the same against the outer surfaces of the balls 12. When the required pressure is placed upon the key, the balls 12 are retracted against the tension of the springs 14, the balls moving backwardly in the casings 11 and admitting of the passage of the key through the throat of the ring. It will be noted that the casings 11 are of only slightly greater diameter than the thickness of the wire or body 10, so that the handle of the key may pass freely over the casings and onto the body. As the members 12 are of spherical form, they present rounded or cam surfaces to the edge of the key, so that the pressure exerted upon the key is transmitted to the retractable closuremembers 12 in a direction longitudinally of the casings, and so that the members may be retracted without any undue strain upon the parts of the ring. 7 bers are of ball form, they will be turned slightly uponeach passage of a key through It will'also be noted that as the memthe throat of the ring, thus presenting new surfaces for engagement with the keys and also for seating against the flanges 13.

Another form of the present invention is shown in Fig. 2, wherein the body is of tubular form and is bent to bring its opposite ends into close spaced relation. As the opposite ends of the tubular body 10 are hollow, they provide receptacles 11*, and these receptacles are open at their outer spaced ends. In this instance, the members 12 are held in extended position to block the throat of the ring by resilient means in the form of a single spring 14, extending entirely through the tubular body 10 and terminating at its opposite ends in the opposed receptacles 11 and against the members 12. In this instance the body 10 is shown as of circular form, although it will be understood that any other adaptable shape may be given the body portion.

In Fig 3, the tubular body 10 terminates in the receptacles 11, as disclosed in Fig. 2, and the members 12 of the preferred form .116 employed. However, the resilient means is disclosed in the form of springs 14",

shown in Fig. 3, which are separate springs arranged in the opposite hollow ends of the body 10 and bearing againstthe opposite members 12, the inner ends of the springs 14" being fixed by transverse rivets 15 mounted in the tubular body 10. It will, of course, be understood that the inner ends of the springs 14 may be secured in the tubular body 10 in any other suitable manner than as disclosed in Fig. 3. I

' In all the forms of the present invention, it will be noted that the retractable closure members 12 are yieldingly projected into the throat of the ring to block the same, and that they present rounded or cam faces to the keys which are pressed through the throat so that the pressure of the key against the members is transmitted at right angles against the members to retract the same without distorting or crushing any parts of the ring.

It is immaterial to this invention whether or not the balls or retractable closure members 12 are brought together when extended, it only being necessary that the balls be projected sufiiciently far into the throat of the ring to block the throat against the easy passage of keys or the like, which are adapted to be carried upon the ring.

It is, of course, understood that the key Copies of this patent may be obtained for ring of this invention may be made of any suitable material, in any size, or may be changed in formor construction within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed is l. A key ring comprising a body bent to dispose its opposite ends in close spaced relation and provide an entrance throat be tween the ends and provided thereat with receptacles having their opposed ends open, balls mounted for longitudinal movement in said receptacles, resilient means engaging the balls and urging the same outwardly to close said entrance throat, and inturned flanges on the outer ends of said receptacles for engagement with said balls tolimit the outward movement of the latter.

2. A key ring comprising a length of wire bent into the form of a loop with its ends arranged in spaced relation and provided with a casing on each end of said length of wire, said casings'being open at their opposed ends, balls mounted in said casings, and means to urge the balls outwardly and block the space between said ends.

8. A key ring comprising a body bent to dispose its opposite ends in close spaced relation and provide between the ends an en trance throat, opposed casings carried upon the ends of the body, balls mounted for longitudinal movement in the casings, a spring in each casing engaging the ball therein and normally urging the same outwardly to close said entrance throat, and inturned flanges on the outer ends of the casings for engagement with said balls to limit the outward movement of the same.

4. A key ring comprising a solid length of wire bent into-form with its opposite ends arranged in close spaced relation to provide a throat between the ends, a casing swaged at one end upon each end of the length of wire, a ball mounted in each casing, an inturned flange on the outer end of each casing to confine the ball therein, and a spring mounted in each casing bearing against the ball therein to yieldingly project the latter from the end of the casing.

In testimony, that I claim'the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my'signature in the presence of two witnesses.

.ERNEST F. RUECKERT. Witnesses:

fALIon L. .OBRIEN,

Trrnononn C. Runonnnrr.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. i 

